Being LGBTQ is not a mental illness. The LGBTQ community does not need treatment to cure their sexuality, an idea rooted in prejudice and discrimination - they need support.
The American Psychological Association has outright rejected the practice of “conversion therapy.” Conversion therapy is dangerous and can lead to increases in psychological problems like depression, substance abuse, shame, guilt, and suicide.
By supporting advertisements for conversion therapy from practitioners of this fraudulent treatment, Psychology Today is lending credibility and implying support from the greater psychological community. Advertisements for conversion therapy have no place in Psychology Today or in any other psychological publication.
Why is this important?
This is wrong and deserves public attention. In 2014, Psychology Today published an article “Gay Conversion Therapy: A Dark Chapter in Mental Health Care” – yet, the magazine still publishes advertisements for this therapy.
This petition is based on the work of Fred Sainz, Human Rights Campaign vice president for marketing and communications, who initially sent a letter regarding this issue to Psychology Today CEO Jo Colman and vice president and publisher John Thomas.
